Definitely some good news, but still no guarantee and still far from returning to the court at this point. Still optimistic though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Smith

T.J. Ford, styling in a state of Texas pullover and Pittsburgh Pirate cap, was back at Raptor practice today.

As a spectator, not a participant, and he's still not sure when he'll be back on a basketball court. His body hasn't told him when that'll be yet.

Ford is being extra cautious about coming back from his latest neck and back injury -- the horrific fall a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta -- and he told us today he's simply not ready yet.

"I think now my body just needs to just recover and just relax and thatís all I want to do right now," he said. "Itís tough, being taken off on a stretcher. Itís definitely tough to hop right back into it a week later, just knowing your body went into a big shock.

"Right now, itís just letting my body calm down and when I feel like my bodyís right, weíll go to the next step."

Ford looked cool and healthy as he watched the Raptors practice, a lot better, in fact, than he's looked since he got levelled by Al Horford late in that game.

The Christmas break back home in Houston obviously agreed with him. But, still, there's no timetable for him to get back on the court.

We'll have lots more of this in tomorrow's newspaper, just figured I'd do a little update for all you folks goofing off at work.

This is great news that TJ is looking better. We will need someone to back up Jose and when TJ returns we will be able to give Jose a break. I am pretty sure when TJ returns his role will be limited for the rest of the year. It will better for the rapts that Jose plays more and it will be better for TJ to bring him back slowly.

This is great news that TJ is looking better. We will need someone to back up Jose and when TJ returns we will be able to give Jose a break. I am pretty sure when TJ returns his role will be limited for the rest of the year. It will better for the rapts that Jose plays more and it will be better for TJ to bring him back slowly.

That's still and big "IF" he comes back to basketball raptor123! Rumours are still leaning more towards him retiring from the game. I guess we still have to wait on those 2nd opinions he got earlier last week before anything is etched in stone.

If you read the Star today he's totally thinking return, but needs to relax and heal. I would say post all star break we should have him back in fine form. If we can surive the next 4 games our schedule lightens up in Jan/Feb which will help soften the blow.

i truly believe he's ready to play right away...
but the doctors, family, and friends are telling him to wait and not rush.

i guarentee the docs told him that he was "this" close to ending his career.
and its spooked him out bad.

so he's deciding to wait, re-evaluate his situation and not rush anything.
i think he narrowly escaped a career ending injury by an inch or two and that his back and neck are perfect, but mentally, he just isnt ready to come back...
and everyone around him is telling him to wait a few months.

yup....
imagine having a doctor tell you that if you take another bad fall like that again, you'll end up paralyzed...
what the hell would you do?
obviously his loved ones are telling him to not play again.... and TJ is weighing his options... i think his pride and heart are battling with his brain.
he's 100% good to go, but is afraid that another fall will paralyze him or something.